Apple has introduced its first foldable iPhone in Cupertino. The iPhone Duo combines an unusually compact smartphone with a 7.6-inch display for apps, photos, and multitasking. While Apple is late to the game technically, it has come up with some interesting solutions for its entry into the foldable class.
Apple took its time. While Samsung has launched several generations of foldable smartphones, the classic iPhone remained true to its familiar design. Now, that's fundamentally changing.
At the keynote in Cupertino, Apple unveiled the iPhone Duo, its first foldable iPhone. When folded, it's a comparatively small smartphone; when unfolded, the usable area expands to almost the size of an iPad mini.
And that's precisely the real idea behind the Duo: it's not just meant to be a bigger iPhone, but to replace two different devices depending on the situation.
5.4 inches outside, 7.6 inches inside
When closed, a 5.4-inch outer display is available. This is surprisingly compact by today's standards and its size is more reminiscent of the earlier iPhone mini.
When the Duo is unfolded, a 7.6-inch inner display appears. This creates significantly more space for websites, photos, videos, and especially for working with multiple apps simultaneously.
The casing is remarkably thin, measuring only 5.2 millimeters when unfolded.
Apple adapts iOS to the foldable display
More exciting than the pure screen size, however, is what Apple does with the additional space.
For the Duo, the operation of iOS 27 has been adapted to the new format. User interface elements partially move to the edge of the display, leaving more room for content on the wider screen.
On the large inner display, two apps can be displayed simultaneously. Depending on the application, this works side-by-side or one above the other. The device can also be used vertically.
This makes the Duo functionally similar to a small tablet, without Apple simply turning it into an iPad with phone functionality.
However, it will be crucial how quickly developers adapt their apps to the unusual display format. This is where it will become clear whether the large display truly offers added value in everyday use or often just provides a larger display of normal iPhone apps.
The crease should barely be noticeable
One of the biggest problems with foldable displays for years has been the visible and sometimes palpable crease in the middle of the screen.
Apple tries to solve this in several ways. The inner display has an anti-reflective, matte surface. This should make the crease much less noticeable, especially in incoming light.
Additionally, structural elements and titanium plates stabilize the display when open. Even when running a finger over it, the transition in the middle should be barely perceptible.
It is also remarkable that Apple allows the use of the Apple Pencil USB-C on the display. This is not a given with the comparatively delicate surfaces of foldable smartphones.
Touch ID returns
Unlocking, however, comes with a small surprise.
The iPhone Duo has no Face ID. Instead, Apple relies on Touch ID and thus on fingerprint recognition again.
The main reason for this is likely the extremely flat design. The sensors required for Face ID need additional space, which apparently was not available in the Duo.
Apple also saved space elsewhere. A classic SIM card cannot be inserted. The Duo works exclusively with eSIM.
Two cameras instead of three
Anyone expecting the best iPhone camera at a price of over 2,000 euros may also be surprised.
On the back, there are only two cameras: a 48-megapixel main camera and a 48-megapixel ultrawide-angle camera.
A dedicated telephoto camera is missing. Zoom shots up to a factor of two are realized by cropping the main sensor.
The variable aperture of the new iPhone 18 Pro models also didn't make it into the Duo.
However, there are several options for video calls and selfies. In addition to the camera in the outer display, there is another camera under the large inner display. This keeps the display area largely undisturbed when unfolded.
A20 Pro and up to 24 hours of battery life
Inside, Apple's new A20 Pro chip is at work. In addition, there's the new C2 cellular modem.
Apple states a battery life of up to 24 hours with mixed use of the two displays. However, independent tests will show how this value develops with intensive use of the large inner display.
This is particularly interesting with foldables, as large displays and simultaneously very thin casings are not an ideal combination for the largest possible batteries.
Starting from 2,299 Euros
As expected, Apple's entry into the world of foldables will not be cheap.
In Germany, the iPhone Duo with 256 GB of storage starts at 2,299 Euros. At the other end of the model range is a variant with 2 TB for 3,799 Euros.
Apple initially offers the Duo in the colors Starlight and Midnight.
Pre-orders begin on October 16, 2026, and delivery and regular sales start on October 23, 2026.
An iPhone and a small iPad in one device?
Technically, Apple isn't reinventing the foldable smartphone. Samsung and other manufacturers have long implemented many of the basic ideas.
More interesting, therefore, is how Apple interprets the concept.
The small outer screen makes the Duo unusually compact when closed. When unfolded, however, it creates a workspace that differs significantly from a normal smartphone. Added to this is a specially adapted user interface.
However, Apple buys the thin design with some compromises. No Face ID, no telephoto camera, and no variable aperture are quite remarkable for a smartphone starting at 2,299 Euros.
Whether the iPhone Duo therefore establishes a new device class within the Apple ecosystem is likely to depend less on the technical specifications than on a simple question:
Is the large display so useful in everyday life that you wouldn't want to go back to a normal iPhone afterward?
This is likely to be the most exciting question once the iPhone Duo actually lands in the hands of the first buyers in October.
